Next: Manufacturing and transportation Up: Applications of LP Previous: Portfolio Optimization

Crew scheduling

$\begin{figure}\begin{picture} (400,200) %\qbezier(50,50)(20,100)(20,200) %\put(5... ...ut(190,150){ORD} \par \put(200,140){\vector(1,0){115}} \end{picture}\end{figure}$

An airline has to assign crews to its flights.

Make sure that each flight is covered.
Meet regulations, eg, each pilot can only fly a certain amount each day.
Minimize costs, eg: accommodation for crews staying overnight out of town, crews deadheading.
Would like a robust schedule.

The airlines run on small profit margins, so saving a few percent through good scheduling can make an enormous difference in terms of profitability.

They also use linear programming for yield management.

John E Mitchell
2000-04-11